INS Kalvari – The First Scorpene Class Submarine All Set To Join Indian Navy

INS Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines, manufactured at Mazagaon Docks Limited under technology transfer from France, is all set to be handed over to the Indian Navy next month. As per the report, Kalvari has completed all sea trials including the firing of torpedoes and missiles.

Kalvari, a diesel electric attack submarine is named after a deep-sea tiger shark. Mazagaon Docks is building Six Scorpene submarines under Project-75 with technology transfer from DCNS, a French naval shipbuilder. The second submarine of the class, INS Khanderi is also undergoing sea trials and is expected to join the navy by the year end.

A senior MDSL official said, “Naval authorities will confirm the date of the commissioning ceremony in the next few weeks. All crucial trials, including test-firings of torpedo, have achieved the desired results. Currently, testing of certain on-board systems is on at the dock and it will be over in the next few days.”

The Kalvari class is a attack submarine designed with state-of-the-art features like superior stealth and better communication. Kalvari can launch a crippling attack on the enemy with torpedoes and anti ship missiles. It can carry out all types of missions like anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc.

Features Of Kalvari Class Submarines

Superior Stealth Technology

Precision Guided Weapons To Launch Massive Attack

All six submarines are being indigenously constructed at Mazgaon Dockyard Limited

Mechanisms on this submarine have been designed to optimise safety; DRDO is in the process of establishing a system for carrying out structured health monitoring of under development nuclear submarines as well as future conventional Naval submarines

The submarine can work in all types of environment including the tropics

Various means and communications are in place to ensure interoperability with various components of the naval task force

The special steel used for the construction of Kalvari can withstand high yield stress. It can withstand hydrostatic force of high magnitude and dive deeper into the oceans.

Challenges Ahead For Indian Navy

Indian navy has been struggling with their depleting fleet of submarines for a long time. It is the need of the hour for the Indian Navy to strengthen their underwater capabilities particularly in the wake of growing presence of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean Region. India currently operates 1 nuclear-powered attack submarine,1 Ballistic missile submarine, 13 conventionally-powered attack submarines,

Indian naval growth is centered around China. INS Arihant (Aircraft Carrier) & INS Vikrant (Ballistic Missile Submarine) are big steps towards that direction, India has a lot to cover to catch up China. The induction of these Scorpene submarines will give the much needed boost to the capacity of Indian Navy to patrol and safeguard its maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region.